Qatar Secures Historic First World Cup Point Against Switzerland in Santa Clara
Published June 13, 2026
Qatar made history on Saturday, earning their inaugural point at a FIFA World Cup held on foreign soil, thanks to a dramatic injury-time equaliser against Switzerland in a Group Stage match.
Published — local time around the world
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, witnessed a memorable moment in Santa Clara as Qatar battled back to secure a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. This hard-fought result marks a significant milestone for the Qatari national team, representing their first-ever point achieved in a World Cup tournament played outside their home nation.
The European side initially appeared poised to claim all three points after Breel Embolo converted a penalty in the 17th minute, following a foul on Remo Freuler. Switzerland exhibited considerable dominance throughout the match, creating numerous scoring opportunities and registering a high number of shots on goal. Players like Dan Ndoye and Michel Aebischer were particularly active, with Aebischer nearly extending Switzerland's lead before halftime, only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Despite Switzerland's control, Qatar demonstrated resilience and a threat on the counter-attack, with Edmilson Junior testing goalkeeper Gregor Kobel on more than one occasion. The match's most dramatic moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Boualem Khoukhi rose to head home an equaliser, stunning the Swiss and sending the Qatari contingent into celebration. This late goal ensured a share of the spoils in what was a gripping encounter in the San Francisco Bay Area.